System for providing entertainment and enhancing human relationships

ABSTRACT

A method or system by which two or more people can improve communication, understanding and/or relationships. The persons engage in a game or other activity where there are triggering events, such as completing a hand of a game of cards, or expiration of a time period. When there is a triggering event, one person selects an item of information at random (e.g. by drawing a card from a stack of information cards). The person reads the information and expresses a thought relating to the same. The other participants are then also able to comment. If this discussion becomes objectionable in some way, one of the participants can activate a “defuser” to either divert the line of discussion or terminate the discussion, after which the activity phase (e.g. a card game, a counseling session, etc.) is continued.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/170,154, entitled SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ENTERTAINMENT AND ENHANCING HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS, which was filed Dec. 10, 1999.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The system of the present invention was originated to promote, create, and/or enhance various human relationships by providing a combination of participation in a game or game-like activity or activities with periods of discussion to exchange ideas on a variety of topics. The components of the system are combined in a way which are in some respects random, and yet arranged to occur so that they complement one another to provide the positive aspects that create better human relationships, and also diffuse, defuse, divert or otherwise alleviate the adverse elements that are impediments to these relationships.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0003] There are many facets of the subject of human relations, dealing with the process of “getting acquainted”, “getting to know each other better”, and simply “getting along”.

[0004] As one example, when a group of people are moving into a new environment, such as entering school as freshmen, or starting a new job, in some instances there would be orientation programs where the newcomers are assembled for a presentation that gives an overview. Quite often the program is arranged so that the people will break up into groups for either workshops, tours of the facility, or structured activities. This may be mixed in with more casual social activities such as a get together where these people have name tags and they move freely among groups to engage in introductory conversations with different people.

[0005] Also, at conventions, seminars, and professional educational programs, there will generally be a social hour, again for the purpose of these people meeting each other on a more informal basis. In many instances, alcoholic beverages will be served (generally in moderation), and in more recent times this activity has been given the title of an “attitude adjustment” hour.

[0006] In contrast to the two situations given above, some activities are established on a more continuing basis to accomplish not only the initial introductions, but also to promote long range good fellowship and also combine this with community activities. Thus, we have the Rotarians, the Lions, the Elks and many others. There are regular meetings with a meal, a period of announcements done humorously, often a program, etc.

[0007] Another broad category is the area of sports and games where, in the course of such activities, people become acquainted with each other and may become good friends. The game of golf, for example, lends itself to a fair amount of off and on conversation. Also, card games leave room for conversation, such as a period when a hand is completed and a person is shuffling the cards and dealing a new hand. In fact, quite often the more enjoyable aspect of such games is the fellowship/friendship that develops.

[0008] It is interesting to note that in most all of these situations, as indicated in the above text, the activity or event which promotes the “getting acquainted” and “getting to know each other better” is more to provide the opportunity for the acquaintanceship, but not the actual process of accomplishing it. In other words, there is the opportunity for the people to make the introduction, and then the people are more or less left to their own devices to carry the conversation further. They may “hit it off” where the initial introduction results in a lasting friendship or at least a pleasant acquaintanceship that might be generated from time to time.

[0009] However, quite often people have difficulty in making these initial introductions into anything more than the only somewhat “superficial” exchange of ideas or information on some very general topics. They have difficulty in meeting people and making friends. To remedy this situation, we have various books and programs to improve a person's social skills. Decades ago there was the very successful “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, a book written by Dale Carnegy, and this developed later into a series of courses to accomplish just what the title of the book expresses.

[0010] Then when the closer relationships do develop, such as a good friendship, a family relationship, or a marital relationship, there are also books and programs to facilitate the relationships and get the people over difficulties that occur.

[0011] In view of the foregoing, it is only natural that this whole area of human communications and behavior would be studied analytically. One has only to consult a dictionary words beginning with the five letters “p, s, y, c, and h” (derived from the word “psyche”) to identify the areas of study that have developed.

[0012] Thus we find the term “psychology”, which is defined as “the science of mental processes and behavior”.

[0013] Then there are areas of scientific inquiry which deal with more severe mental problems. There is “psychiatry” defined as “medical study, diagnoses, treatment and prevention of mental illness”. Out of this grows “psychoanalysis”, the technique developed by Sigmund Freud that uses free association, dream interpretation, and analysis of resistance and transference to investigate mental processes”. There is also “psychotherapy” (the psychological treatment of mental, emotional, and nervous disorders).

[0014] There are professional counselors who deal not necessarily with more severe human illnesses or aberrations, but more with resolving a wide variety of human/social problems, whether these be problems in the work place, school, marriage, family relations, etc. Many of these counselors develop unique skills and techniques to get to the heart of the problem and find solutions.

[0015] Again, it is interesting to note that when the counselors, therapists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, and other such professions apply their techniques to situations, they do so where there is a “problem”. Where there is a situation of sufficient concern so that the assistance of a specialist is needed, there are programs, books, courses directed toward developing high levels of competence in human communications.

[0016] To turn our attention to a rather different aspect of human social activity, In large part, these appear to be focused toward an identified goal, such as making a sale, negotiating a favorable settlement, making a speech to promote a cause or point of view, a lawyer developing the skills to convince a judge or jury, etc. In general, the goal toward which these are directed is to succeed or come out a “winner”. Thus, the person who becomes a successful salesman, “gets the sale” and the salesman who is less adept comes out the “loser”.

[0017] Now we come to this somewhat unique category of human relationships which is what we might term the “boy/girl” relationships. The efforts to foster this in some sort of program or controlled basis begin probably around the age 11 to 13, where there are school dances. Then there is the activity of “dating” which in some instances may lead to becoming engaged and eventually a marital relationship.

[0018] In some instances, this “win/lose” approach in the area of “boy/girl” relationships becomes paramount. There are books and magazines on how to succeed in these relationships, how to dress, how to talk, and other guidelines to make one more socially acceptable in the particular arena of boy/girl activity. For better or for worse, this can become a competitive atmosphere.

[0019] These boy/girl relationships in general differ from many of the other relationships discussed above in this text in that there is often a strong element of emotion which could be characterized as love, dedication, a caring feeling, etc. Thus, in those situations where the emotional attachment becomes diminished, a married couple has to find out if they actually do have a sufficiently strong bond to maintain and nurture a happy marital relationship.

[0020] Now, to transfer our attention to another facet of human relationships, there is often a natural reluctance in most every person to be completely open and candid in communicating with others, particularly in the early “getting acquainted” stage. A person may be avoiding certain channels of conversation or even disguising actual facts simply because that person does not want to appear foolish, inadequate, maybe a little bit “odd”, or embarrassed. The corollary of this is that the person would more likely want to convey information which would keep things in an area where the person would not feel threatened, or which may be more likely to enable the person to “look good” or at least in areas where the person might have a comfortable feeling. Also, a person may wish to avoid bringing up subjects that might make another person uncomfortable.

[0021] In those instances where a conversation develops and one person finds themselves getting into areas where they would rather not probe, or finding themselves having a somewhat different view on issues where they would rather not have the conversation go further, the relationship often fades at the initial introductory stage.

[0022] The discussion up until now has dealt with more general aspects. To appreciate the novel aspects of the present invention, which will be discussed later herein, we should now turn our attention to a more specific activity where there is social interaction, this being a typical game of cards. While participation in some card games can be a highly competitive event, more often people will play a game of cards as a pleasant pastime, where the game itself provides interest and excitement and yet there is a certain amount of conversation that might generally be termed “good fellowship”.

[0023] For example, let's consider a game of gin rummy. Playing a hand of gin rummy is (like most card games) a combination of skill and luck. A reasonably competent gin rummy player will try to remember which cards have been discarded, remember what cards the other player has picked up from the discard pile, and make his or her decisions accordingly. Thus during the playing of the hand, the player will usually have his mind “on the game”, and will not be letting extraneous thoughts demand his attention.

[0024] There is a definite recreational benefit to this, in that some of the concerns, worries or frustrations that may be bothering a person will be pushed to the back of his mind. At least during the play of that hand, the person will be concentrating solely on the game.

[0025] Then when the particular hand is finished by one of the players knocking or managing to “gin”, there is a break in the concentration. Probably the player who is on the losing end of that hand will be expressing somewhat jokingly his frustration that he was waiting for a certain card to go out, etc. Unless the people are highly competitive and/or playing for big stakes, whether the person wins or loses, the total time period in which the number of hands are played will generally be a relaxing and enjoyable event.

[0026] Yet between hands while the cards are being shuffled and then the next hand dealt, quite often the people will engage in conversation. Assuming the people are simply relaxing after a few hands of gin after a game of golf, or playing the card game at a family get together, random topics will come up. In a way people sometimes find it easier to bring up these topics in the time periods between when the hands are played (i.e. during the shuffling or the dealing of the cards), because the time frame is short (possibly about 20-60 seconds, and the person does not expect to get involved in the subject in depth. Then if it does become a topic of interest that the two players want to discuss further, they can delay the playing of the next hand to exchange a few more thoughts. However, they will end the conversation by getting back to the next hand.

[0027] Over a period of time, assuming that people are both good natured and don't get particularly upset if they're having a losing streak, a friendship can develop, either a rather limited friendship where there are more frequent games, or deeper friendships where the people enjoy each other's company in other social engagements.

[0028] This same phenomenon can occur for people who get together on a more or less regular basis to play poker. If the stakes are kept low enough to be within a person's “entertainment budget”, and if the atmosphere is overall friendly even if the person has a long run of bad hands, there is time for conversation. After a hand is played and the cards are being gathered, shuffled and again dealt for the next hand, various topics will come up, whether it be a sporting event, a local political matter, some random gossip, etc.

[0029] In that kind of environment, particularly where the same people meet as friends on a somewhat regular basis, even if it's once every several months, the people will get to recognize each other's moods, and sense whether a person might be depressed, worried, etc. Under those circumstances the person who is somewhat depressed or concerned may feel more comfortable in discussing the problem at least to some extent during the card game, not only because he is with friends, but because it is in an atmosphere where he can in a sense “turn it on or turn it off”, depending on the tempo of the game.

[0030] However, if that person is getting into the subject more deeply than he would like to at that time, he has an easy “out” simply by suggesting that it's time to get back to playing the next hand. Also, in these sort of gatherings, such as playing a game of gin rummy, a game of poker, a game of pinochle, hearts, etc. there is generally an understanding that the people are there for recreation and fun. It's against that “code” to bring up subjects which are highly controversial, and if they are brought up it might be done in a humorous way, so they pass it off with humor and then “get on with the business of the game”.

[0031] These types of relationships are not limited to card games, and they can occur in games such as chess, checkers, horseshoes, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0032] It is the object of the present invention to provide a new system in the human process of “getting to know each other” in a format or “arena” where two or more people can learn about one another on neutral ground. The system of the present invention does not involve a contest. There are no winners, there are no losers. The only requirement is to have fun discovering one another. The fun comes from an arena safe from competition, judgment, and arguments.

[0033] It is further the object of the present invention to promote, create, and/or enhance understanding, mutual respect, possibly friendship or even enhance intimacy, this being done in an environment where there is a more natural and light-hearted discussion which can incorporate humor and discovery. The speaker is not intimidated by the possibility of being judged, and the listener has no need to formulate a defense to the opinion of the other.

[0034] The result is a more playful exercise in the serious arena of “hearing” and “being heard”. The advantages of the present invention are based upon the philosophy that the more we “hear” from one another, the more we learn who we really are and the respect we have for one another grows.

[0035] There is one basic guideline to the discussions, and that is that there are no judgments. One person may agree or agree to disagree, and yet the spirit is not to try to sway the other's opinion. That would be judgmental and counterproductive. Thus, the fun comes from an arena safe from competition, judgment and arguments.

[0036] The main phases and physical components of the present invention are the following:

[0037] a) The activity phase or time segments in which the participants are engaged in an activity may be a game activity where there is a series of actions, events, or timed occurrences at least some of which are “triggering events” to interrupt that activity for the communication phase. In preferred embodiments this can be a game-like activity such as a card game.

[0038] b) The communication phase or time segments is initiated by the “triggering event”, after which an item of information is provided to at least one of the participants. In one preferred embodiment, this is accomplished by having a plurality of discussion cards, which can be similar in size (or larger) and shape to playing cards. Also, in one preferred form, the information is a quotation, sometimes with the identification of the person making that quotation, and also some information about that person. Then, in this communication phase, the participants express their thoughts in accordance with a prescribed format. In one embodiment the cards also may display a question to generate some avenue of response. Other types of information items are listed elsewhere in this text.

[0039] c) The diversion/defusing phase takes place by one or more of the participants, in a somewhat humorous vein, symbolically eliminate some situation or occurrence in the discussion that is somewhat argumentative or in some other way detracting from the more cooperative, pleasant and sometimes humorous atmosphere of the total activity. In an earlier created embodiment, this is accomplished by use of the “saboteur” which is a physical item that symbolizes or presents an argumentative or judgmental viewpoint or attitude, and the saboteur could be humorously inactivated or diverted. This also could be, for example, a “grump-in-the-box” (which will be described later), which is activated to express or symbolize an argumentative or judgmental view, and then this “grump-in-the-box” is inactivated in a suitable manner to symbolize an end to the controversy. Alternatively, in a later created embodiment, the diversion/defusing device is a more amiable figure such as a “judge-in-the-box” who rises from a contained box to give his “decision” to abate the matter at hand. Other devices will be described elsewhere in this text.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040]FIGS. 1A and 1B provide, by way of example, isometric views showing the two sides of a standard deck of playing cards for playing a card game which provides the activity that in turn produces the triggering events, and also a set of discussion cards which stimulate the comments and/or discussion;

[0041]FIGS. 1C and 1D show two sides of a typical discussion card;

[0042] FIGS. 2A-2D are four isometric views of the diversion/defusing devices which accomplish return to the activity phase in a way to maintain the pleasant and sometimes humorous atmosphere which should pervade the overall activities;

[0043]FIG. 3 shows a timer which could be used to set a time limit on the person's comments on the discussion card or person who made the quotation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0044] It is believed that a clearer understanding of the system, components and method of the present invention will be obtained by first describing briefly the overall system of the present invention and then describing various features and applications in more detail. In the following text, it will be assumed only two people are the participants.

[0045] A) The Sequence of the System.

[0046] The sequence of the events in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is as follows:

[0047] a) The two people agree to play a game, such as a card game. As the game progresses, there will be triggering events, such as one person winning the game, winning a hand in a game of cards, capturing a piece (as in a chess game), or some other identifiable event.

[0048] b) Upon the occurrence of the triggering of the event, the “responsible party” for that triggering event (or another person) draws one of the discussion cards. The “responsible person” could be the winner of the hand or game, the person who takes a chess piece or who performs some other act that causes the “triggering event”.

[0049] c) The responsible person who draws the discussion card reads the quotation and also identifies the author, along with reading the short biographical information about the author and possibly a thought provoking question (if these are present).

[0050] d) After reading the card, the responsible person can be the first to express an opinion or maybe a comment, or request the other player or players to express his (or her) thoughts first. In either case, both must eventually express themselves (or will likely do so). It should be remembered that there is no right or wrong answer. The person is simply voicing her or his feelings or possibly making a random comment about something which has been recalled by the person, with the recollection being presumably stimulated by the information on the card, or author, or source of the information.

[0051] e) When the people complete their expressions based upon that discussion card, the card game or other game continues.

[0052] f) Occasionally, one person will argue that the other's feeling or opinion is wrong or deficient, or make some comment that would make the other person defensive or uncomfortable. When this happens, the diverting/defusing device, which could be the “defuser”, comes into play to “defuse” the situation (i.e. snuffing out or eliminating the fuse). Within the broader sense, this “defusing” is meant to include a “diversion” where the potential problem is sidetracked or diverted. This defusing device could be a saboteur, for example, such as the aforementioned grump-in-the-box. As indicated previously, this is simply a box with the imaginary grump inside (see FIG. 2B). This could be activated, for example, by pressing a button. Then the voice emanating from the box begins expressing views which could be argumentative, dissident, judgmental, etc. Then the person who is arguing to change the opinion of the other person or put the other person in a defensive position inactivates the grump-in-the-box. This could be done, for example, by pounding lightly on top of the box which in turn inactivates the voice that is coming from the box. This is a signal to the person who is making judgements or trying to change the opinion of another to discontinue such persuasive comments or judgements, and in accordance with the rules agreed upon, the person making such comments will discontinue this line of commenting.

[0053]  This shows in a humorous way that when you judge, and try to change the other person's thinking to suit your own, you unleash the greatest threat against any relationship (in a sense, sabotage the relationship). After that, the game continues as described above.

[0054] As indicated previously, another desirable option is the “judge-in-the-box”, which is a figure of a judge which, when activated, rises from the box to make a proper judicial statement terminating the discussion. Then, the judicial figure is pushed back into the box and the lid closed.

[0055] B) The Activity Phase (i.e. The Game).

[0056] To describe the activity phase or activity time segment, we shall assume that the basic activity is the card game, such as poker, gin rummy, blackjack, or any other game which the participates find to be enjoyable. This card game will have certain “events” which will “trigger” the start of the communication phase or segment.

[0057] For example, in a game of gin rummy the event that triggers the communication phase could be the end of a hand. If more frequent triggering events are desired, then it could be, for example, when one of the players picks a card from the discard pile as opposed to drawing from the stack of cards. In a game of blackjack where each individual “hand” goes by more quickly, the event could be when either the dealer or the player receiving the cards goes “busted”.

[0058] If the activity is not a card game, but something like chess or checkers, then for the chess game the triggering event could be, for example, when a major piece (i.e. a knight, bishop, rook or Queen, but not a pawn) is captured. Or in checkers it could be when one of the checker pieces is taken off the board. In monopoly, the event could be passing “Go”, putting a house or hotel on a piece of property, etc. In the game of scrabble it could be forming a word having some characteristic such as having at least a certain amount of letters (or maybe a quite small amount of letters.

[0059] In the following text, the term “game” will commonly be used to denote the activity or activity phase. However, it is to be understood that this term “game” is meant to include other activities (as discussed later in this text) which would not technically be a “game”, but could be, for example, a counseling session, an educational activity, or some other activity engaged in by the participants which would provide the triggering events, and also be such that the participants could then return to the activity.

[0060] C) The Discussion Phase Using the Discussion Cards.

[0061] When this triggering event occurs, the player who is either the winner of the game or the active player who causes the triggering event (e.g. the player in the gin rummy game who picks up a card from the discard pile) draws a card from the stack of quotation cards. The player reads aloud the quotation on the card and also the name of the person making the quotation, along with the sentence or two giving information about that person, and/or the attached question. The “winner” has a choice of either expressing his or her own idea, opinion, or a random comment first or request the “loser” to express his or her opinion first.

[0062] In either case, both must eventually express themselves and most any sort of comment or opinion is acceptable. It is important for the players to keep in mind that each person is simply voicing his or her own feelings, and there are no “right” or “wrong” opinions. Also, the comments or opinion could be about the author alone, the quotation alone, the question alone, or events or issues that somehow are brought up by the quotation or author, or possibly a personal experience relating to the same.

[0063] It is important to remember that often the words “human”, “woman”, or “man” can be interchanged in these quotes. The quotes are chosen to encourage and exchange thoughts and ideas, not to play the battle of the sexes.

[0064] In some instances, these quotations can be selected to give people an arena where they can learn about each other in an enjoyable way without judgment. It really requires no skill. These are not the quotations of the people themselves, and each participant must discuss something on the chosen card, or at least related to the information on the card. The overall effect of this is that there is no personal investment or responsibility in the subject which is to be discussed. Accordingly, each participant can approach it in the spirit of lighthearted discovery and conversation.

[0065] To state this in other terms, the object of this activity is to promote, create or enhance an understanding of each other (or, in some situations, even an “intimacy”) through natural, light-hearted discussion that should flow with understanding and discovery and sometimes humor and laughter. The object of quotation discussion is to learn about one another on neutral ground. The quotes are by others and this enables you to freely get candid, heart-felt opinions with no investment of being right. At the risk of being repetitious, it should be emphasized that a cardinal rule for the productive participation is that:

[0066] “THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG. THERE ARE ONLY PERCEPTIONS/OPINIONS.”

[0067] With the need for judgment eliminated, each person speaks freely while the other is set free to truly listen. The speaker is not intimidated by the possibility of being judged and the listener has no need to formulate a defense to the opinion of the other. The result thus can usually be a playful exercise in a serious arena of hearing and being heard, a concept that resides in the soul of intimacy.

[0068] The more we “hear” from one another, the more we learn who we really are and the respect we have for one another grows. There is only one basic guideline to the discussions, which is there are no judgments. You may agree or agree to disagree, yet the spirit of the game is that no one is allowed to sway the other's opinion. That would be judgmental and counterproductive. These basic guidelines should be recognized and understood.

[0069] In some instances, it may be desirable to limit the time for discussion. If so, a timer can be provided, as shown in FIG. 3. This could be used, for example, to put a time limit on the comments of one person, or possibly a limit on the entire discussion period. In those situations where the discussion is becoming particularly interesting, possibly a person could ask for a reprieve and turn the timer over to start another period running.

[0070] D) The Diverting/Defusing Phase.

[0071] This involves the “defuser”. Occasionally one person will argue that the feelings or opinion expressed by the other person is “wrong”. This could even be done somewhat unconsciously. When that is perceived, then the person who perceives the situation (generally the person whose feelings are being challenged) can bring forth the “defuser”. The “defuser” is symbolic of some person, entity, or “thing” which provides a communication and/or conveys an impression or “idea” that leads to returning to the more tranquil or pleasant atmosphere of the overall activity.

[0072] In FIG. 2A the defuser is in the form of the judicial figure who, as described above, rises from the box in which he resides to make a judicial pronouncement which either “defuses” the situation, terminates the discussion, or uses a diversion technique to return to the activity phase. The device is activated by a lever which causes the lid to open and the judge to pop up. Various judicial pronouncements that can be made by the judge are shown in FIG. 2A.

[0073] In FIG. 2B, the other “defuser” is in the form of a more disagreeable or argumentative figure which is “inactivated” and possibly inactivated somewhat unceremoniously.

[0074] As described previously in this text, this type of defuser can be in the form of the “grump-in-the-box”, which is simply a box that contains an audio mechanism which, when activated, makes expressions which are argumentative, judgmental, etc. The expression coming out of the box could even be somewhat incomprehensible and vituperously expressed gobble de gook, or such challenging words as “foul play, not fair”, etc. Also, as indicated previously, the grump-in-the-box could be inactivated by either the person who is possibly being argumentative or unfair by simply lightly pounding the top of the box to put an end to the verbiage coming from the box, with the understanding that the person being argumentative agrees to stop. Or the person activating the grump-in-the-box could himself lightly pound the top of the box, with the understanding that the argumentative line of discussion will stop. Then, with the potential tension being defused and/or diverted, the game can go on as before.

[0075] This is to show in a humorous way that when you judge, or try to change another's thinking to suit your own, you unleash the greatest threat to any relationship. This threatening judgment/change process must be diffused, defused, diverted, or eliminated, and must be recognized and dealt with in a humorous way together with understanding. This exercise keeps the participants on track, so opinions can be expressed openly and honestly without fear of being judged.

[0076] With regard to the other options of the saboteur, in FIG. 2C there is shown a third option which is a round ball having a triangle floating inside the ball. The triangle has a different message written on each surface of the triangle remarking on judgments having been made. A person will shake the ball and a different message comes up.

[0077] A fourth option is shown in FIG. 2D, where the “defuser” comes in a more friendly form of a soft sculpture of a dog. The dog is petted gently, and this small pressure makes the dog give a message which is a comment on the argumentative or judgmental situation which has arisen. This could be a saying such as “you make fleas look like fun”, or “you can teach an old dog new tricks, but not this way” or “it's not cool to bark judgments”.

[0078] It is to be understood that more than one defuser/diversion device could be used. Let us assume that all four of the diverter/diffusion devices described above are included in one embodiment of the system. The grump-in-the-box may be activated by a person in a situation where the person feels that the direction of the discussion is more toward an antagonist or argumentative mood. In this situation, the activation of the grump-in-the-box in a way symbolizes this, and would in a way be appropriate for the particular situation.

[0079] On the other hand, the situation may be such that it would seem to require a decision from another to terminate this line of discussion, and then the judge-in-the-box would be activated as the appropriate defuser. On the other hand, the person who is to activate the diffusion/diverting device may simply want to make a comment which would indicate that this line of discussion is either inappropriate, irrelevant, and is at least objected to in some way, and the round ball with the various messages appearing would be suitable.

[0080] Finally, the activation of the canine defuser could be suitable for, or related to, the treatment the dog is getting, and make the comments such as, “You make fleas look like fun”. Also, other types of defusers could be utilized, depending upon the particular manner in which the person may select for the implementation of the diverting or diffusing. process.

[0081] E) More About the Discussion Cards.

[0082] In the preferred form, the preferred form of the information on the discussion cards is at least in part quotations, along the identity of the people being quoted, also sometimes with related biographical or other comments.

[0083] The theme of a set of quotations, the selection of the quotations and even the order in which the cards are placed can influence the general direction of the comments and/or discussion that might take place. For example, these could be more thought provoking, or humorous, or both thought provoking and humorous, or even dealing with items which are difficult to take seriously such as fads in diets, popular music, etc.

[0084] Also, the themes and selections of the quotations and formatting of the same can be directed toward different general classes of people and also the issues that relate to that class. Also the cards could be structured in such a way to direct or lead the conversation. Further, in addition to using quotations, there are other sorts of information which could be placed on the cards to stimulate a discussion, such as the following:

[0085] i. Statistics (e.g. on magazine subscriptions, watching television, travel, human behavior, living habits, etc.)

[0086] ii. Fascinating Facts (e.g. customs and habits in other cultures, and other times)

[0087] iii. Idioms and Their Origins (unusual way in which words are linked to express thought)

[0088] iv. Superstitions and Their Origins

[0089] v. Opinions (Gallup polls, etc.)

[0090] vi. Oxymorons

[0091] vii. Ridiculous (yet real) ads or headlines (e.g. those such as Jay Leno's headlines)

[0092] viii. Historic Trivia

[0093] ix. Word Origins

[0094] Further, the quotations themselves need not be erudite or clever quotations, they could be such things as man on the street quotes from real people walking down main-street USA. They could also comprise great movie lines, proverbs from the Bible, multi-cultural proverbs, etc.

[0095] Also, in addition to the quotation and identification of the author of the quotation along with a very brief biography, there could be a thought provoking question added. For example, the statement “Go west, young man, go west”, attributed to a newspaper editor Horace Greeley, could be followed by the question of “What would life now be like in the United States if the Louisiana purchase had not been made, and if Horace Greeley had not exhorted people to a western migration?”

[0096] F) Dynamics of the System of the Present Invention:

[0097] Possibly a productive way of exploring this subject is to look at the main components of the present invention and how these operate in accordance with the way conversations or exchange of ideas would occur in this system:

[0098] i) The Function of the Game Activity.

[0099] First, the game activity provides randomly occurring triggering events. Assuming that the game is a card game, a person does not quite know when the hand is going to end or other triggering event is to occur. Accordingly, the person can simply concentrate on the game and when the triggering event occurs, he or she can temporarily forget about the game.

[0100] Second, the game provides a change of pace. The game temporarily stops, and after the discussion card is read and the comments of the players are made, the participants would get back to the business of playing the next hand. The benefit of this is that during the period of expressing opinions or making comments, a person may be exploring his or her own feelings, and the person for the moment possibly becomes somewhat introspective or have an emotional response that could be somewhat unsettling. If the quotations are presented over a long period, with each one requiring a comment, and there is no break in this, it could be somewhat fatiguing and the repetition can become boring. However, with a game providing interruptions and getting a person's mind on something totally different (i.e. the game), that repetition and/or fatigue factor is in large part avoided.

[0101] Third, the game itself provides something of a safe haven. It may be that the subject matter that is suggested in some quotation may involve something about which one of the players is rather sensitive. With the rules of the game being to comment in any way you feel appropriate, it would be perfectly appropriate for the person to avoid making any profound comment on that particular subject and simply pass it off with humor, or possibly recount some incident. Further, if the person simply feels like avoiding the subject entirely, the person may make some totally extraneous statement, such as “For some strange reason, this reminds me of my trip to Chicago in 1987”, and then recount something totally irrelevant. (However, this approach probably should be used less frequently).

[0102] ii) The Discussion Cards.

[0103] To comment, for instance, on those cards on which there are quotations (possibly with biographical information), desirably each set of quotations would be chosen because it is one that would stimulate various reactions of some sort, possibly a humorous reaction, a comment on some more profound social issue, a recounting of a personal incident that was particularly meaningful to that person, expressing a point of view that is somewhat out of the ordinary or is out of step with the conventional thought, etc.

[0104] In many instances where the quotation is read, it is a subject which a person probably would not normally bring up in an early part of a “getting acquainted” conversation. However, in the format of the present game/discussion activity, when a potentially personal or sensitive subject is brought up, the comments, whether off-hand or expressing a firm conviction of the person, can be given without any great apprehension of adverse consequences (provided of course the game is conducted in the proper spirit). Thus, there is potential of obtaining meaningful personal insights about the person in a new relationship which could take years to discover otherwise.

[0105] Another benefit of this game is that the topics that are stimulated by the discussion cards could be selected for the occasion. For example, in a boy/girl relationship that is in the initial or early stages of “getting acquainted”, there may be one set of discussion cards. Or for a couple who are trying to recapture a relationship that has gone somewhat stale, another set of quotations may be appropriate. For a group of people who are parents and neighbors, a set of cards dealing with family, traveling, education, politics, etc. may well be acceptable. Thus, at least to some extent, the selection of the subject matter of the quotation cards can influence the situation.

[0106] Also, as an added feature, one or more “wild cards” or “joker cards” could be added. The card would be mixed into the deck of cards. The wild cards will be added to allow the holder to ask a particular question they would like answered, pass on answering or giving an opinion, recall a favorite quotation or make up one, or take more speaking time than would normally be allowed (i.e. turn over the timer if an hourglass timer is being used), or some of these options could be specified on the wild card. Also, the wild card could be held until needed upon which time it is used and then replaced into the deck.

[0107] iii) The Diverting/Defusing Device.

[0108] This is the “safety valve.” In some situations, as indicated above, the discussion may develop in a way that one or more of the participants is becoming somewhat judgmental or argumentative. This diverting/diffusing phase of the system enables a person who feels threatened or perhaps some discomfort or embarrassment (or even attacked) to get out of the situation without explanation.

[0109] Thus, in the use of the diverting/defusing device, this is a signal that the person, for whatever reason, would prefer to get back to the game of cards or at least get the discussion on a different track.

[0110] iv) The Element of Personal Discovery.

[0111] The subjects can be varied and far-reaching. The atmosphere that is created is intended to lead people into a wide variety of subjects, which could be as diverse as romance, travel, landscaping, living at the South Pole, etc. There can be quotations such as Thoreau's statement that “Most men live a life of quiet desperation”, leading to thoughts on basic life styles and the meaning of the same. With the random pacing of the discussion periods and the “safety valves”, the people can embark on this path of discovery in an atmosphere adventurous and have a safety from adverse social consequences.

[0112] G) Use of the System in a Classroom.

[0113] This system, slightly modified, can be integrated into the classroom where there is a teacher or a supervisor. This version would be implemented into most levels of education starting at elementary school level and continuing to the highest level of education. The subject matter of the discussion cards selected would reflect the maturity of the children involved. The following features should be noted.

[0114] i) The basic rules remain the same;

[0115] ii) The supervisor or a student reads the quotation and the short biography of the person quoted aloud. The discussion that follows should be a free flowing exchange amongst the students;

[0116] iii) The supervisor refrains from judgment or comments directed at any student interpretation.

[0117] iv) The supervisor is a referee, intervening when one student tries to change another students opinion. The supervisor explains the “defuser” and provides the devices used to bring attention to the role of the “defuser”. The form given to the “defuser” is subject to the variations needed to be appropriate for different levels of student maturity and the subject matter.

[0118] v) The referee (i.e. supervisor) also provides for “time out”, when necessary, to bring attention to the “art of listening and hearing”.

[0119] vi) The supervisor should not critique the grammar of the expression as in an English class. Correction or bringing attention to the ability of the speakers to express themselves will result in inhibition and that is to be avoided as it will destroy the intent of the course. The aim here is for the children or students to be comfortable to say a wide variety of things, in any form of verbal expression they choose.

[0120] vii) The students are encouraged to bring their choice of quotes to class as well as compose a short biography of the author. They are encouraged to create their own quote accompanied by a short autobiography. These are never forced or required, only encouraged.

[0121] viii) The benefits of this course are outline below;

[0122]  The students are exposed to philosophy and philosophical debating. They are learning to “hear”. They experience being heard. The process opens an arena for them to say a variety of things without fear of repercussions regarding their beliefs or opinions. This safe arena is necessary to ultimately reach the goal of this class.

[0123] The manner in which this is incorporated into the classroom can vary. For example, this could be used in connection with, for example, a history class, an English class, a Civics class, a Psychology class, etc. The “activity” could then be the routine which the teacher normally follows, and this could be interspersed with the use of the discussion cards. For example, if the particular subject at that time is an historical event that had happened a century or two earlier, the discussion card could present a situation where an alternative occurrence might take place, or the same or a similar occurrence would occur in some other environment, some other country, or some other time frame.

[0124] Another alternative is that the system could be incorporated in a classroom environment where it is intermixed with the curriculum in such a way to be used as a counseling tool. This brings us to the next subject which is discussed immediately below.

[0125] H) Use of the System as a Counseling Technique.

[0126] When the system is used in the classroom as a counseling tool, this gives the teacher or counselor an opportunity to recognize a troubled youth based on their response to some of the quotes, or their personal choice of quotes and authors. Mental note should be taken of students who exhibit potential problem areas (i.e. violence, lack of emotion or sensitivity, inability to express themselves, etc.).

[0127] The teacher then has the opportunity to see that the student discreetly receives the necessary attention needed. All this has the very real potential of diverting a tragedy.

[0128] Care must be taken that the help received is not publicly associated with the class. If the association is made, the students may become inhibited. Those inhibitions would be fatal to the intent of the course, which is to find potentially troubled children before a tragedy develops.

[0129] In other environments, there could be a group counseling or a group therapy discussion, and this would be interspersed with the discussion cards and the defusing devices.

[0130] The counseling could deal with specific classes and specific types of problems, and this could be used for children who are expected to deal with such problems as:

[0131] i. facing divorce;

[0132] ii. facing hospitalization, serious illness, death of a relative;

[0133] iii. grandparents;

[0134] iv. arrival of a new sibling.

[0135] In this instance, the defuser would perhaps be a wind-up bug to symbolize that it bugs them when you judge them or don't hear them.

[0136] There can also be such techniques used for adults in situations such as the following:

[0137] i. Romantic couples renewing or discovering a relationship;

[0138] ii. Senior citizens preparing for twilight years, and facing/coping with future changing needs;

[0139] Also, the counseling could occur not just in situations where people are facing problems, but also in counseling sessions where people are simply looking at how to enhance their lives, such as what are sometimes called in religious gatherings a “retreat”. Further, the therapy sessions could simply be where a person is seeking “time out” to evaluate his or her situation in life, and they want to create some insights or ideas or goals as to how they might want to change their lives. In this instance, the activity, which would be interspersed with the discussion cards, could be a program in which certain concepts are presented, and the timing of the discussion periods using the discussion cards could be at timed intervals, the length of which could depend upon various factors.

[0140] I) Alternative Forms of the System.

[0141] As indicated earlier in this text, the term “information cards” within the broader scope of the present invention is intended to include other forms of communication. For example, instead of the information being in writing, the information could be presented audibly. Further, it could be presented visually through electronic media.

[0142] As a further alternative, participation in this activity could occur in an environment other than a face-to-face environment where the people are in the same room. The presentation of the information could be over the internet, and the discussion could be conducted over the internet. Further, the activity portion of the system could also be an activity engaged in over the internet, and could even be a game which could be played by two or more participants transmitting their moves over the internet. In fact, this could lead to innovations where certain individuals who are seeking the help of the “defuser”, could use their own imaginative forms of accomplishing the diversion, defusing or elimination of the unwanted occurrence or trend of the discussion.

[0143] It is obvious that various modifications, adaptations, and improvements can be made within the broad scope of the system of the present invention.

[0144] In the following text there are given examples of quotations, comments on the author or text, and in some instances questions to stimulate thought and/or discussion. Quote Quote Comment First Name Last Name Life-span Biography Biography Comment The injuries we do Proof of this quote is Aesop 6th century Aesop (of fable fame) They just didn't, and those we suffer in the biography. BC was a slave from Phrygia appreciate his witty are seldom weighed who eventually gained blasphemies. They did on the same scales. freedom, followed much prove his theory. to his surprise by being thrown over a cliff by a band of angry priests. Charm; that quality Is being charming Henri Amiel 1821-1881 Swiss writer and We thought mid-life in others of making universally Fredrick philosopher as well as career changes were a us more satisfied attractive? professor of aesthetics sign of our times. with ourselves. in 1849 then turned professor of moral philosophy 1853-81. There's a world of It is easy to feel the Maya Angelou 1928- Born Margarite Johnson The rise of an unwed difference between truth of this; it is became a mother at 16, 16-year-old black truth and facts, another thing entirely held a string of jobs mother in 1944 to Facts can obscure to come up with an from cook and waitress reading her poetry at the truth. example of this. to civil rights a Presidential activist, novelist and Inauguration is an celebrated poet who ascent against all performed in 1993 at odds. President Clinton's inauguration. People who think Anon None they know everything are very irritating to those who do. The work praises Has pride in one's Anon None the man. product been replaced by pride in the amount of money one can receive for that product regardless of quality. Opportunities are Do people purposely Anon None never lost. The pass on opportunities other fellow takes so their friends may those you miss. take them? When a man points Anon None his finger at someone else, he should remember that three of his fingers are pointing at himself. Shortly after the Anon None introduction of the under wire bra, Valium was invented. Coincidence? Dancing is a Anon None perpendicular expression of a horizontal desire. If you catch a man, Anon None throw him back. They couldn't find Anon None the artist, so they hung the picture. Men their rights Susan B. Anthony 1820-1906 Liberal Quaker and and nothing more; radical reformer active women their rights in the anti slavery and and nothing less. temperance movements. Anthony, teamed with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, worked tirelessly to succeed in securing the right of women to vote. So many women don't Isn't it easy to make MaryKay Ash Mary Kay, cosmetics Remember the pink know how great they a judgment based on success story. Cadillac's, how vogue really are. They outward appearances? on the outside can you come to us all get? vogue on the outside and vague on the inside. If you think you MaryKay Ash Mary Kay, cosmetics Remember the pink can, you can. And success story. Cadillac's, how vogue if you think you on the outside can you can't, you're get? right. Violence is the Define incompetence. Isaac Asimov 1920-1922 Award winning author of He excels in his last refuge of the 400 books mostly ability to make clear incompetent. scientific, some science descriptions of fiction. complex ideas. If I had my life to Tallulah Bankhead 1903-1968 Being the daughter of a live over again, congressman didn't stop I'd make the same Ms. Bankhead from mistakes, only becoming an sooner. unconventional often outspoken and very successful actor of stage, screen radio and television. You grow up the day Do you actually know Ethel Barrymore 1879-1959 American actress from a you have your first people who are unable family littered with laugh at yourself. to laugh at themselves actors, including John occasionally? and Drew, won 1944 academy award for None But the Lonely. Your own mind is a What could be next, Arnold Bennett 1867-1931 English novelist, wrote Has anyone asked why sacred enclosure taking The Old Wives Tales and is this man writing a into which nothing responsibility!!!!!! became editor of the journal called harmful can enter 1900 journal “Woman”. “Woman”? except by your permission. If you can't be a Good example by Catherine Bird NONE good example than default? you'll just have to be a horrible warning. Self-confidence is How do you think self- Laurence Boldt Career consultant and nothing special. It esteem fits into all author. His book, Zen is the absence of this? Soup, is a wonderful self-consciousness, compilation of wisdom nothing more, drawing from great minds nothing less. east and west. I am not a glutton If you look at Emma Bombeck 1927-1996 Popular American humor - I am an explorer everyday things in columnist and author of of food. life as an exploration such books as; If Life does your attitude is a Bowl of Cherries- change? What Am I Doing in the Pits, When You Look Like Your Passport Photo It's Time To Go Home and All I Know About Animal Behavior I Learned in Loeman's Dressing Room. The only person who His opinion would be Ruth Brown NONE listens to both he's angered by having sides of an to listen to it. argument is the fellow in the next apartment. I've never had but Jeanne Calment 122 years Apparently wrinkle free, one wrinkle, and save one, French women I'm sitting on it. /chocoholic who smoked like a chimney finally passed on at the age of 122 years. Don't think of Dogs have been known Joseph Cambell 1904-1987 Native New Yorker and what's being said to approach people father of theory that but of what's with tail wagging and all myths and epics have talking, malice?, as they've reached out a common origin in the ignorance?, pride? to pet them, the dog need of the human psyche or love. bites! Is this quote as it relates to social, saying a similar cosmic and spiritual situation exists with reality. humans? Any fool can What do you think of a Dale Carniegie 1888-1985 Pioneer in public criticize, condemn person engaging in speaking. Highly and complain - and this type of negative successful author of one most do. conversation? Does of the best sellers of the subject matter all time, How To Win make a difference? Friends And Influence People. A pat on the back, Positive reinforcement Bennett Cerf 1898-1971 Co-founder of Random though only a few over corporal house. Editor of vertebrae removed punishment? humorous anthologies who from a kick in the regularly appeared on pants, is miles television, he was also ahead in results. a syndicated newspaper columnist, publisher, and editor. All generalizations Alexander Chase None are false, including this one. A women can become What's the chance this Anton Chekhov 1860-1904 Famous Russian author The Cherry Orchard, a a man's friend only guy had a lot of who supported his family play about a family's in the following female friends? while he attended med loss of their stages - first an school by writing comedy ancestral estate, acquaintance, next for lowbrow humorous seems to be a sad a mistress, and magazines. In these topic. Chekhov, only then a friend. articles he mastered the however, insisted it difficult art of saying was a comedy!! His a great deal using very sense of humor is as few words. He moved from interesting as his comedy to such fun life story. topics as human isolation and suffering, even here he uniquely undercut the sadness with a comic remark or action therefore causing the audience to experience several deeply mixed emotions. Every man is No one escape being G.K. Gilbert Chesterton 1874-1936 British poet and author Interesting important if he mourned or laughed at Kieth of works on social and combination; master of loses his life; and so enjoy it all, and literary criticism, paradox and absent- every man is funny if you're really theological studies and mindedness, almost a if he loses his hat uptight wear a hat. detective stories. His paradox in its own and has to run sharp wit, controversial right. after it. views and mastery of paradox made the absent- minded author very popular. I like living. I When is ending a life Agatha Christie 1890-1976 English novelist and Why does one who so have sometimes been acceptable? playwright of mysteries loves life write so wildly, with suspenseful plots many murder mysteries? despairingly, and unexpected Paradox or hidden acutely miserable, conclusions. desire? racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing. A fanatic is Having been said by Winston Churchill 1874-1965 British Prime minister someone who can't one of histories 1940-1945 and again change his mind and greatest wartime in 1951-1955. He achieved won't change the leaders is it not a world reputation as an subject. interesting that wars all-seeing strategist are usually the work and inspirational war of fanatics religious leader. He is often and otherwise. described as many men in one because of his many diversified talents. Your worst Can you name a Karen Crockett NONE humiliation is only situation when this someone else's wasn't true? momentary entertainment. Women are more With long fingers, Curiosity None attracted to men long feet, big hands, with long strides. long noses . . . alright already, do you notice a common denominator here? Look at this view Response from a Curiosity None young lady. homeless man sitting on a beach in winter when asked why he wasn't in a warm shelter. Author of many Many ideas first Curiosity None science fiction explored in science novels, H. G. fiction become reality Wells, predicted or even the impetus and named the for exploration by atomic bomb in scientists, can you 1914. recall any. They say star trek has actually given scientists many new avenues of exploration. A toilet will How many men suffer Curiosity None injure One in 65 injuries inflicted by Americans in their angry women who used lifetime. Most will the toilet after the be men. seat was left up? The Vampire Is it more acceptable Curiosity None Research Center in to believe in aliens Elmhurst NY has or ghosts than been thriving since vampires? Are any of 1972. them acceptable? Chances that the If your life is in Curiosity None cash in an chaos, at least your American's wallet money is in order! Is is organized by this one frantic grasp denomination:9 in at something 19 controllable in our lives. Recent studies It appears girls Curiosity None suggest 57% of men really do just want to placing personal have fun, or it's up ads said looks are there on the important, while requirement list. 26% of women said same. 41% of women wanted someone humorous while only 21% of men wanted someone fun; 33% of men wanted someone slim or petite while only 2% of women look for lean. Among People's top The visuals attached Curiosity None ten worries at the to this one make it gym, falling down understandably during aerobics. humiliating to those at the gym for vanities sake. The highest Is there an Charles Darwin 1809-1882 British leader in This leader of possible stage in evolutionary process evolutionary biology, evolutionary biology moral culture is for “moral culture”? discoverer of natural married his cousin, when we recognize Is it possible to selection. His theories hence slamming his own that we ought to control your thoughts? were condensed into the family's evolution to control our If so, how then can famous treatise that a grinding halt! thoughts you control your rocked the world, “The thoughts on how to Origin of the Species by control your thoughts? Means of Natural Selection”. His theories have been widely accepted. I get my exercise Think this quip made Chauncy Depew 1834-1928 Celebrated witty after- acting as him friends of the dinner speaker. pallbearer to my physically fit. Secretary of the State friends who of New York 1863, exercise. President of N.Y. Central Railroad, U.S. Senator 1899-1911. A pessimist is a Chauncy Depew 1834-1928 Celebrated witty after- man who thinks all dinner speaker, women are bad. An Secretary of the State optimist is one who of New York 1863, hopes they are. President of N.Y. Central Railroad, U.S. Senator 1899-1911. It is not good Have you observed a Rene' Descartes 1596-1650 Not only known as the This is a man who used enough to have a dog thinking? Do some father of modern his mind very well. good mind. The main dogs appear to use philosophy, he thing is to use it their mind as opposed discovered and well. to others? formulated co-ordinate geometry in 1637. To be conscious Is being conscious of Benjamin Disraeli 1804-1881 British statesman and We all get laughed at that you are ignorance and doing novelist who had a sometime no matter how ignorant is a great nothing to correct it profound 30-year influential we may be. step toward a great step backward? influence in British knowledge. politics despite his maiden speech being drowned in shouts of laughter. Man is not the Is this another Benjamin Disraeli 1804-1881 British statesman and We all get laughed at creature of chicken vs. egg novelist who had a sometime no matter how circumstances. conundrum? profound 30-year influential we may be. Circumstances are influence in British the creatures of politics despite his men. maiden speech being drowned in shouts of laughter. Assumption is the Do you know of any Angelo Donghia NONE mother of screw-up. examples where assumptions have not only been wrong but had disastrous results? We should tackle What is its point, or Lawrence Durrell 1912-1990 British novelist, poet He seemed to have reality in a is there a point? and diplomat turned maintained his sense slightly joking English teacher in of humor despite way . . . otherwise we Athens during world war having narrowly miss its point. II. He wrote several escaped the Germans famous works drawing on via a fishing boat. his diverse experiences abroad. Only two things are Albert Einstein 1879-1955 Winner of the 1921 Noble Strange and infinite, the Prize for physics was interesting universe and human also an outspoken bedfellows, Freud and stupidity, and I'm philosopher and humanist Einstein. Imagine what not sure about the who co-wrote “Why War” they would discuss. former. with Sigmund Freud in You could have a field 1933. day with this one. Your imagination is How do you imagine Albert Einstein 1879-1955 Mathematical physicist, your preview of yourself in the conceptual reviser of life's coming future? Take care to man's understanding of attractions. answer just in case the universe. Among his Albert's right. many achievements, the concept of a space-time continuum, the theory of relativity, and the ability to admit “my wife does my mathematics.” A difference of Can a person learn to George Elliot 1819-1880 Marian Evans Cross, a Due to her historical taste in jokes is a appreciate differences great English novelist period she had little great strain on in humor? who had a significant choice but to use a affections. effect on women's male pen name, what do literature, unfortunate you think? or telling of the times, that an icon like this should choose the pseudonym of George Elliot. I've never any pity At least they're George Elliot 1819-1880 Mary Ann (Marian) Evans What a life of for conceded always with someone was considered among the opposites, think about people, because I they love! greatest of English it, a women writing think they carry novelists. She under a male pen name, their comfort about eloquently depicted life creating extraordinary with them. of the lower middle pictures with her class while her home was writing of the lower a center of intellectual middle class, while and literary life during her home is literally the Victorian era. considered a cultural center. Fear always springs Do people embrace Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803-1882 American poet and from ignorance. ignorance by being too essayist. Advocate of freighted to ask spiritual independence, questions? believed in intuition as divine guidance and in individualism to it's fullest. Whatever limits us Do people use “fate” Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803-1882 A unique voice of we call fate. as an excuse or American influence. He defense? was a writer, poet and philosopher who subscribed to Transcendentalism, a philosophy that stresses humans undeniable ties to nature. Men are disturbed Can you trace Epictetus b. approx A slave in Rome who upon What would it be like not by things that something disturbing AD 50 being freed devoted his to be a philosophical happen, but by back to an opinion you life to philosophy. slave? their opinions of had? Would you feel things that happen. differently by looking at and maybe changing that opinion now? Go the extra mile. Newsletter Executive NONE It's never crowded. Speechwriter Setting a good How wild do you think William Feather American businessman example for your your parents could children takes all have been without you the fun out of around, what naughty middle age. activities would have appealed to them? Perhaps if one Can you recognize Joanna Field English author hoping to Have you ever kept a really knew when patterns in behavior? clue in on what's diary, have you one was happy one In your behavior? missing in life was discovered anything would know the known to keep a journal about what make's you things that were to help her key into tick after having read necessary for one's what, in her daily life, excerpts? life. made her joyful. That journal was published in 1934 and called “A Life of One's Own”. I am not a woman, I Indira Gandhi I 1917-1984 Started her political am a human being. career as official hostess and political confidant to her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of an independent India. She rose through the ranks to be elected prime minister in 1966 and again in 1980. She was assassinated by one of her own body guards in 1984. The motto should Is forgiveness Emma Goldman 1869-1940 Red Emma an American There's just nothing be; rather than unnecessary when it is anarchist who in 1883, like those homespun forgive one replaced with was actively agitating girls of yesteryear. another; rather understanding? people against Think her assassin understand one tyrannical employers, partner shared her another. and for her efforts was understanding? jailed in New York. She founded the anarchist monthly, Mother Earth, with a loose cannon of a partner who would eventually he charged with attempted assassination. Time is nature's Graffiti The reason spray paint There are some pearls way of preventing cans are prohibited for arising from this form everything from sale to people under 18 of creativity. happening at once. in some States. Time is an illusion Trekkies.Put that in Graffiti The reason spray paint There are some pearls perpetuated by the your space-time cans are prohibited for arising from this form manufacturers of continuum, and see how sale to people under 18 of creativity. space. long it takes. in some States. The body is a How do you most honor Martha Graham 1893-1991 She became the most She not only treated sacred garment, your body, do you have influential person in her body with honor, Its your first and a ritual like a long the history of modern she taught it to last garment; it is hot bath every Sunday dance she created a new communicate! what you enter life eve, or do you honor dance language intended in and what you whims and feed it junk to express psychological depart life with, food? complexities through and it should be innovative dance treated with honor. movement. Plain women know An odd and perceptive Katherine Hepburn 1909- Beautiful. Four time Do you suppose she had more about men than quote from a beautiful Academy Award winner, homely moments? beautiful ones do. and gifted women. who maintained a 25 year relationship with co- star Spencer Tracy Mix a little What defines the Horace 65-8 BC Horace, Quintus Horatius What surroundings or foolishness with “right moment” to be Flaccus (65-8 BC.) Roman circumstances can you your serious plans; foolish or silly, poet laureate and imagine exists for it is lovely to be hindsight? Right satirist, Horace in 8 BC to silly at the right moment you were extraordinarily popular produce such original moment. lovely, wrong moment perhaps due to his thoughts and you were an idiot. expression of common expressions? thoughts and feelings, not high ideals. And the trouble is, When is a risk worth Erica Jong 1942- The author of Fear of if you don't risk taking, and when isn't Flying apparently didn't anything, you risk it? Is there ever no worry what risks she even more. risk involved? took with her good name. Her book was among the first sexual liberation novels written in the just “coming out” 70's. Life is either a Considering this is Helen Keller 1880-1968 At the age of 19 months daring adventure, Helen Keller, her she became blind and or nothing. every waking, deaf. This did not stop conscious moment had her from earning a to be an adventure bachelor degree and into the unknown, becoming a highly don't you think. respected lecturer, writer and scholar. I believe that What type of character Martin King Jr. 1929-1968 A strong advocate of truth and did this man possess Luther non-violent protest unconditional love to maintain a belief ironically assassinated will have the final in truth and while acting as one of word in reality. unconditional love the principal leaders of while surrounded by the civil rights lies, hate, and anger. movement. Winner of Nobel and Kennedy Peace prize and considered a brilliant orator. The only unnatural As a species do we Alfred Kinsey 1894-1956 Controversial American No wonder he was sex act is that have the ability to do sexologist and zoologist controversial. which you cannot something unnatural? born in Hoboken, New perform. Jersey. Some women are not Give examples of Karl Kraus 1874-1936 Austrian satirist, beautiful- they beauty that are not critic, and poet who only look as though manifested physically, took great joy in they are. go further than the attacking the middle obvious. Name your class and liberal press. friends attributes. It's only when we This simple statement Elizabeth Kubler- Swiss born pioneer truly know and seems to sum it all Ross psychiatrist in the understand that we up, don't you think? study of the psychology have a limited time of dying. Published on earth --- and what is considered to be that we have no way the most influential of knowing when our book on the subject time is up --- that called “On Death and we will begin to Dying” in 1969. live each day to the fullest as if it was the only one we had. To err is human; to What does that make Doug Larson NONE admit it, Clinton, super superhuman. president? Title 14 Section So . . . if you're abducted Loopy Laws Neverending Strange but true non the 1211 of the code of and the Feds find out Obscure less. federal Regulations do you have to do jail implemented July time. Does that make 16, 1969 makes it two abductions? illegal for any US citizen to have any contact with an extraterrestrial or their vehicle. Cats in Sterling, Loopy Never- Strange but the law non Colorado may not Obscure Laws ending the less. run loose without having been fit with a taillight. In North Dakota it Do you think they want Loopy Never- Strange but true non the is illegal to serve to keep the salt Obscure Laws ending less. beer and pretzels intake down to slow at the same time. the drinking before driving, or do they want to keep food out of you so you are easier to spot while DUI? What tangled webs we weave! In NY the penalty Loopy Never- Strange but true non the for jumping off a Obscure Laws ending less. building is death. In Hornytown, say Which cane first, the Loopy Never- Strange but true non the it ain't so, North town's name, or the Obscure Laws ending less. Carolina, massage massage parlors? parlors have been banned! It is good to have It is the journey that Ursula Le Guin 1929- She grew up immersed in Do you know anyone an end to journey makes the memories in legends and myths thanks whose profession and towards; but it is the end, isn't it? to an anthropologist talents that have been the journey that father and her mother an shaped by their matters in the end. author of children's parents professions? books. It's no wonder she became a multi award-winning author of science fiction and fantasy. To mention a loved Does she want us to Anne Morrow Lindbergh 1906- American writer and object, a person, take care of what we aviator whose or a place to mention and how we say accomplishments as a someone else is to it? female aviator are over invest that object shadowed by her famous with reality. husband Charles. She is most famous for her writing and not for her extraordinary pioneering spirit. Chaos in the midst Picture someone in a Steve Martin 1945 Comic, writer, and What can you expect of chaos isn't situation of chaos talented actor born in from someone who co- funny, but chaos in among order. Waco Texas who seem to wrote and made their the midst of order have made a great deal screen debut as a is. of his career out of title character in a chaotic, comedic events. film called “The Jerk” I never forget a Groucho Marx 1890-1977 Born Julius Henry he was face, but in your the bushy eye browed, case I'll make an cigar smoking, exception. wisecracking oldest of the vaudeville, stage and movie actor brothers. Groucho also authored Memoirs of a Mangy Lover in 1963. Feelings are J Massi NONE everywhere -- Be gentle. Admit your errors Great way to turn the Andrew Mason M.D. NONE before someone else tables or baffle your exaggerates them. enemies. For Where your What do you treasure Matthew One of Jesus' people. treasure is, there most, does it bring will your heart be happiness? also. Whether women are Ever see animals Golda Mier 1898-1978 Israel's first Truly a women who better than men I exhibit a bias based ambassador to Moscow, on proved her ability to cannot say - but I on gender? to Minister of Labor do a man's job even if can say they are then Minister of Foreign that meant heading the certainly no worse. Affairs and finally on government through two to Prime Minister in very difficult wars. 1968. Don't be humble. What would it require Golda Mier 1898-1978 Born in Russia, Proof that no dream is You're not that to make being humble graduated from Milwaukee too great if a child great. acceptable? Teachers college. While in her teens can in her teens she began a aspire to and achieve life long dedication to something so difficult building a homeland for as finding a homeland the Jews, she is for a whole race of considered one of the people! founders of the state of Israel and served as it's prime minister 1969-1974 When one tugs at a Think of examples that John Muir 1838-1914 Explorer, naturalist, Without the help of single thing in relate to you own writer and crusader for John Muir many of our nature, he finds it family, do you think the preservation of most treasured attached to the Mr. Muir's comment natural resources in the National Parks would rest of the world. becomes more clear as late 1800's. not exist today. When you relate it from we have such wonderful your family to the results from his family of the world. vision. Why is it we still don't understand the connectedness of all things, and continue to allow greed to actively destroy our planet. We don't see things Is it possible to Anais Nin 1903-1977 American author as they are, we see completely make that influenced by surrealism them as we are. separation? and psychoanalysis, nice combo, she created many short stories, works of erotica, and her first novel was House of Incest. In our play we Is there a “type” of Publius Ovid 43 BC-17 AD Extraordinary Roman Maybe Augustus didn't reveal what kind of person who enjoys Ovidus Naso attorney who devoted like his poetry, which people we are. certain forms of play? himself, instead, to of was hard to overlook all things poetry. In 8 because he was a most AD he was banished by prolific poet. Augustus for reasons unknown. It is often hard to Have you observed in Frederick Phillips NONE distinguish between your own life or the hard knocks in another situation life and those of where a truly opportunity. difficult time resulted in a wonderful opportunity? You can discover What type of play do Plato 427-347 His philosophy has had Imagine what it would more about a person you think was popular BC an incalculable be like to sit with in an hour of play in Plato's day? influence on almost these guys, the than in a year of every period and surroundings, conversation. tradition placing him clothing, smells and among the most important sounds, use all of philosophers of all your senses. time. Two other great figures of philosophy are his teacher, Socrates, and Aristotle his pupil and subsequent principal competitor. Almost always it is Is the reflection just Antonio Porchia NONE the fear of being a reminder of the part ourselves that we are playing at the brings us to the moment? mirror. Nobody can make you Even if you think your Eleanor Roosevelt 1884-1962 Chaired the United Obviously a women who feel inferior dog is an inferior Nations Commission that didn't suffer from an without your creature, he doesn't. created the Universal inferiority complex. consent. Declaration of Human Rights from which emerged the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of race color or creed. You must do the What do you think you Eleanor Roosevelt 1884-1962 U.S. delegate to the Apparently there thing you think you can't do and why? United Nations, niece of wasn't much she cannot do. President Theodore couldn't do whether Roosevelt, Wife and she thought she could distant cousin of FDR. or not. When a man is Are creatures other John Ruskin 1819-1900 British poet, author, He took his thoughts wrapped up in than humans able to be and art critic privately to extremes and himself, he makes a self-consumed, or is educated until he beginning in 1870 he pretty small it the only way they attended Oxford. He suffered periodic package. can be? encouraged England to bouts of insanity. Is take responsibility for the taking of thoughts the squalor that arose to extremes a with ungoverned contributing factor or capitalism. He was a a symptom of insanity? profoundly religious man who took this concept all the way to a type of Christian Communism. The Miss Universe Irene Saez Winner of the Miss contest taught me Universe title in 1981 how to compete. And she went on to try to competing among capture another women is very prestigious title, that different from of president of competing among Venezuela. men. Women are fiercer competitors. The more articulate May Sarton Prolific poet from You must be pretty one is, the more Belgium who lived out articulate to be made dangerous words her later years in a cult figure. become. Northeastern US where she is considered a cult figure to a circle of women. Being bald is an Telly Savalas Lolly pop sucking actor unfailing sex born with the name Ernst magnet. Stavro Blofeld. Time and trouble Dorothy Sayers 1893-1957 British author of will tame an detective mysteries was advanced young one of the first women women, but an to obtain a degree from advanced old women Oxford. is uncontrollable by any earthly force. Every man takes the Yet, no one sees Arthur Schopenhauer 1788-1860 German Pessimist His Quote seems to be limits of his own things in the same Philosopher. The first in direct contrast to field of vision for way, does this make of the primary articles this part of his the limits of the the possibilities of his pessimistic philosophical beliefs. world. limitless and very philosophical creed was limited. Subjective Idealism being, for example, the idea that the world is an illusion of the brain and therefore in itself, nothing. What is most In what way is this Susan Sontag 1933- American philosophical beautiful in virile shown in our culture? writer on modern men is something culture. It was her feminine. What is essays that got her most beautiful in dubbed a new feminine women is intellectual and she something became the influential masculine. darling of the American counterculture. I love humanity but Edna St. 1892-1950 The winner of a 1923 I hate people. Vincent Pulitzer she was mainly Millay recognized for her poetry. She also wrote plays for experimental theater, one of which was a satirical fantasy about war called Aria Da Capo. As far as I'm Sally Stanford Celebrated and Probably not related concerned, morality politically motivated to the Stanford's of is just a word that Madam and vice-mayor of university fame don't describes the Sausalito California. you just know it? current fashion of conduct. In the year 2000 Be Afraid! Be Very Statistics Who figures these things approximately 19 Afraid, if we don't out, and why? million women Baby start talking about Boomers will be it. suffering anxiety, irritability, and violent mood swings due to menopause. If you're over 35 The moral of the story Statistics Who figures these things you have a 1 in 77 . . . if you're gonna fool out, and why? chance of suffering around be in shape! a heart attack during sex. Very attractive men Homely criminals get Statistics Who figures these things and women earn at 50% more jail time out, and why? least 5% per hour than good-looking more than average ones. looking ones. Ideas are like Could they have John Steinbeck 1902-1968 American novelist, who rabbits. You get a possibly imagined what apparently could make couple and learn was about to spring literary, prizes how to handle them, from the idea of the multiply as well. He was and pretty soon you first computer? awarded 1940 Pulitzer have a dozen. and the 1962 Nobel prize for literature. It is necessary to If, in fact, it is an Wallace Stevens 1879-1955 Harvard educated Just goes to show you any originality to original, are you not insurance attorney who can't judge a man by have the courage to the amateur and the won n the 1955 Pulitzer his profession! be an amateur. master? Prize for his extraordinary poetry. Man does not live Some go down easier Adlai StevensonA 1900-1965 Well known more for his by words alone, than others. wit and speaking ability despite the fact than his failed run for that sometimes he the presidency in 1952 has to eat them. and in 1956. There is no duty we Since laughter and Robert Louis StevensonR 1850-1894 Well traveled Scottish Happiness might well so much underrate happiness can essayist who lived the lie in being chief as the duty of contagious . . . go out and last 5 years of his life spinner of tales in being happy. By spread it! in Samoa acknowledged as Samoa. being happy we sow chief Tu'si-ta'la anonymous benefits (teller of tales). upon the world. There is nothing Han Suyin 1917- Beijing doctor and stronger in the author of the inter- world than racial romance novel gentleness. turned academy award winning movie, Love Is A Many Splendid Thing. Could a greater Try to look through Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862 Perhaps most famous for miracle take place each others for an his portrayal of simple than for us to look instant, what do you living, it was his essay through each others see? Now try it with a on civil disobedience eyes for an loved pet or some that influenced Mahatma instant. other creature. Gandhi's successful policies of passive resistance against the British rule in India. Happy families are Lao Tolstoi 1875-1877 Russian author of War all alike; every Nikolsevich and Peace who, between unhappy family is his use of psychological unhappy in it's own analysis in his novels way. and his social teachings had a profound effect on the course of the 20th century. Tolstoy's idea for passive resistance influenced Gandhi whom later inspired Martin Luther King Jr. Live each moment as Suzannah Troy Somewhere, sometime a Quite a laid back if your hair is on masseuse. profession for such a fire! frenetic quote. I never let my Doesn't this give us a Mark Twain 1835-1910 Mark Twain, Samuel schooling interfere fresh interpretation Langhorne Clemens, with my education. of education. American writer and humorist known for debunking tradition without malice and being satirical without bitterness, for the most part. When ignorance gets Mark Twain 1835-1910 Unique American writer started it knows no who poked fun at bounds. entrenched institutions and long held traditions. He did so for the most part without malice until 1890-1900 when his life's hard knocks were being reflected in his writing. Always acknowledge How do you think this Mark Twain 1835-1910 Unique American writer a fault frankly. would throw them “off who poked fun at This will throw guard”? entrenched institutions those in authority and long held off their guard and traditions. He did so give you the for the most part opportunity to without malice until commit more. 1890-1900 when his life's hard knocks were being reflected in his writing. Men show their What's the last thing Johann Von Goethe 1749-1832 German poet, dramatist, All of this experience character in that made you laugh Wolfgang scientist and court collided to make him nothing more out loud? official who partook in one of the most clearly than by Now think about that. more than one scandalous versatile figures in what they think love affair. He dabbled world literature. laughable. in alchemy, occult philosophy, and astrology as well as music, art, anatomy, and chemistry. Expect nothing; Can having no Alice Walker 1944- African American author As a young black women live frugally on expectations eliminate and recipient of many aspiring to be an surprise. disappointments? literary honors author do you think including a Pulitzer and she ever expected to American Book Award both win such high honors? for her novel “The Color Purple”. The whole world is Do you see this in Horace Walpole 1717-1797 Respected writer of His philosophy was a comedy for those people you know? letters and novels, the modern day and not who think a tragedy 4th Earl of Orford, was stuccoed in the past. for those who feel. appointed to many cushy Option 2 He should government jobs by his have stuck to writing father, the prime and not remodeling. minister. His inheritance purchased coachmen's cottage, which he stuccoed into the pseudo-castle of Strawberry Hill. He unwittingly helped put an end to the ridiculous fashion for Classical Italian appearance of architecture in England. Did a women ever Wouldn't you have C.D Warner 1829-1900 Charles Dudley Warner C.D. Warner was male, love who would not expected this to have (1829-1900) American what do you think give all the years been said by a woman writer / attorney till could have happened of tasteless and not a Twain crony? 1860 when he quit law to for him come up with serenity, for one become editor of Harpers such a female oriented year, for one Magazine. Collaborated comment? month, for one day with Mark Twain on The of uncalculated Gilded Cage in 1873. delirium of love poured out upon the man . . . who returned it. A guilty conscience Just ask any kid Carolyn Wells 1862-1942 American writer of some She must have had a is the mother of caught with their hand 170 volumes. She was very guilty conscience invention. just outside the diversified in her to have created 170 cookie jar, and the genre, humorous volumes of fiction. creativity will fly!! sketches, novels and fictional detective stories to name a few. When women go Mae West 1893-1980 Buxom vaudevillian with wrong, men go right the dubious distinction after them. of having a inflatable life vest named after her. Women should be You might say Mae was Mae West 1893-1980 Popular personality of obscene and not the one of the 30's Hollywood who heard. original women to be epitomized aggressive obscene and heard! vulgarity with comic flair. Audiences loved it! Between two evils I How many evils could a Mae West 1893-1980 Popular personality of always pick the one vaudeville and film 30's Hollywood who I never tried actress who epitomized aggressive specialized in sultry vulgarity with comic sexual innuendo have flair. Audiences loved left untried? it! Ninety-nine percent Thornton Wilder 1897-1975 Fought in two wars, rose of the people in Niven to rank of lieutenant the world are fools colonel. Wilder found and the rest of us time to be Yale educated are in great danger and win several Pulitzer of contagion. prizes for his literature that was often based on allegories and myths. Among his works are Our Town and Hello Dolly. You don't have to Flip sashayed around Flip Wilson Born Clerow Wilson, one While in the Air force he a thing of stage in drag, he was of 24 children and no he often proclaimed to beauty to be a joy no beauty but the joy stranger to foster homes be flipped out, soon forever. he brought others made and reform school, he it stuck and his him one of the became one of the first friends nicknamed him funniest comics of the black superstars through Flip. late 60's and early his gift for comedy. 70's. 

Therefore, I claim:
 1. A method of improving communication, understanding, and/or relationships between two or more persons said method comprising: a) said persons participating as participants in an activity phase by taking part in an activity having a triggering event or events; b) upon occurrence of a triggering event; initiating a communication phase by providing to at least one participant an item or items of information; c) as a part of the communication phase a participant or participants expressing a thought or thoughts related to, generated by, and/or suggested by, the item of information; d) also as part of the communication phase, providing an opportunity for comment by one or more other participant or participants to be able to make a further expression or expressions of a thought or thoughts related to or suggested by the thought or thoughts of the selected participant(s) and/or by the item of information provided; e) returning to the activity phase by the participants again participating in said activity after a period of said communication phase.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising providing an opportunity for a participant to initiate a diversion and/or defusing phase to divert, to defuse said discussion and/or to terminate continuation of said discussion with the participants returning to the activity phase by resuming participation in said activity.
 3. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the items of information are selected at least in part in a random manner.
 4. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein said information items are provided in one or more of the following ways, namely, printed material or cards, audio outputs, visual displays, electronic media, and/or internet participation.
 5. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the items of information comprise at least in part information on one or more of the following, namely, quotations, originators of quotations, biographical information on originators, information related to the quotations, statistics, fascinating facts, idioms, origin of idioms, superstitions, origins of superstitions, opinions, opinion poll results, oxymorons, ads or headlines, ridiculous ads or headlines, historical facts, historical trivia, news trivia, word origins, information on customs, living modes, or activities of other cultures, cultures of other times, hypothetical occurrences or situations, and/or other items of information to initiate discussion.
 6. The method as recited in claim 2 , further providing timing periods and/or timing devices for limiting or monitoring timing of discussion phase occurrences.
 7. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the diversion and/or defusing phase is implemented by activating a diversion and/or defusing device which provides a message or impression at least in part relating to one or more of the following, namely, an antagonistic or argumentative mood, a judicial or decision making impression, a commentary of evaluating impression, a communication of some displeasure or lack of approval of a situation.
 8. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the diffusion and/or diffusing device comprises one or more of the following devices, namely a device representing or simulating a grumpy person, a representation or configuration of a judicial person, a device which can be manipulated to cause a display or representation of a comment or evaluation and/or an animal-like representation or configuration communicating some displeasure or lack of approval of a situation.
 9. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the items of information comprise at least in part one or more of the following, namely, quotations, originators of quotations, biographical information on originators, and/or information relating to the quotations.
 10. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the items of information are selected at least in part in a random manner.
 11. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said information items are provided in one or more of the following ways, namely, printed material or cards, audio outputs, visual displays, electronic media, and/or internet participation.
 12. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the items of information comprise at least in part information on one or more of the following, namely, quotations, originators of quotations, biographical information on originators, information related to the quotations, statistics, fascinating facts, idioms, origin of idioms, superstitions, origins of superstitions, opinions, opinion poll results, oxymorons, ads or headlines, ridiculous ads or headlines, historical facts, historical trivia, news trivia, word origins, information on customs, living modes, or activities of other cultures, cultures of other times, hypothetical occurrences or situations, and/or other items of information to initiate discussion.
 13. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein further providing timing periods and/or timing devices for limiting or monitoring timing of discussion phase occurrences.
 14. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the items of information comprise at least in part one or more of the following, namely, quotations, originators of quotations, biographical information on originators, and/or information relating to the quotations.
 15. A combination of components for practicing a method of improving communication, understanding, and/or relationships between two or more persons wherein said method comprises: a) said persons participating as participants in an activity phase by taking part in an activity having a triggering event or events; b) upon occurrence of a triggering event; initiating a communication phase by providing to at least one participant an item or items of information; c) as a part of the communication phase a participant or participants expressing a thought or thoughts related to, generated by, and/or suggested by, the item of information; d) also as part of the communication phase, providing an opportunity for comment by one or more other participant or participants to be able to make a further expression or expressions of a thought or thoughts related to or suggested by the thought or thoughts of the selected participant(s) and/or by the item of information provided; e) providing an opportunity for a participant to initiate a diversion and/or defusing phase to divert, to defuse said discussion and/or to terminate continuation of said discussion with the participants returning to the activity phase by resuming participation in said activity, wherein said combination of components comprising: a) an information providing component by which items of information are provided which comprise at least in part one or more of the following, namely, quotations, originators of quotations, biographical information on originators, information related to the quotations, statistics, fascinating facts, idioms, origin of idioms, superstitions, origins of superstitions, opinions, opinion poll results, oxymorons, ads or headlines, ridiculous ads or headlines, historical facts, historical trivia, news trivia, word origins, information on customs, living modes, or activities of other cultures, cultures of other times, hypothetical occurrences or situations, and/or other items of information to initiate discussion; b) one or more diversion and/or diffusing device or devices which relate to one or more of the following, namely, an antagonistic or argumentative mood, a judicial or decision making impression, a commenting or evaluating impression, and/or a communication of some displeasure or lack of approval of a situation.
 16. The combination as recited in claim 15 , further comprising a timing device for limiting or monitoring timing of discussion phase occurrences.
 17. The combination as recited in claim 15 , further comprising an information provider which is one or more of the following, namely printed material or cards, audio outputs, visual displays, electronic media, and/or internet participation.
 18. The combination as recited in claim 15 , wherein the diversion and/or diffusing device comprises one or more of the following devices, namely, a device representing or simulating a grumpy person, a representation or configuration of a judicial person, a device which can be manipulated to cause a display or representation of a comment or evaluation and/or an animal-like representation or configuration communicating some displeasure or lack of approval of a situation.
 19. A combination of components for practicing a method of improving communication, understanding, and/or relationships between two or more persons wherein said method comprises: a) said persons participating as participants in an activity phase by taking part in an activity having a triggering event or events; b) upon occurrence of a triggering event; initiating a communication phase by providing to at least one participant an item or items of information; c) as a part of the communication phase a participant or participants expressing a thought or thoughts related to, generated by, and/or suggested by, the item of information; d) also as part of the communication phase, providing an opportunity for comment by one or more other participant or participants to be able to make a further expression or expressions of a thought or thoughts related to or suggested by the thought or thoughts of the selected participant(s) and/or by the item of information provided; e) providing an opportunity for a participant to initiate a diversion and/or defusing phase to divert, to defuse said discussion and/or to terminate continuation of said discussion with the participants returning to the activity phase by resuming participation in said activity, wherein said combination of components comprising: a) an information provider selected from one or more of the following, namely, printed material and cards, audio outputs, visual displays, electronic media, and/or internet communication; b) items of information which are present by said provider, which comprise at least in part one or more of the following, namely, quotations, originators of quotations, biographical information on originators, information related to the quotations, statistics, fascinating facts, idioms, origin of idioms, superstitions, origins of superstitions, opinions, opinion poll results, oxymorons, ads or headlines, ridiculous ads or headlines, historical facts, historical trivia, news trivia, word origins, information on customs, living modes, or activities of other cultures, cultures of other times, hypothetical occurrences or situations, and/or other items of information to initiate discussion.
 20. The system as recited in claim 19 , wherein said information provider is arranged to provide said information items in a random fashion. 